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Re: The composers view

To: brass-band@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: The composers view
From: Watkins@xxxxxxxxxxx (Stephen Watkins)
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2000 21:31:26 +0100
References: <e0.cf13641.2754d7fb@aol.com> <TEv3dXAYgAJ6MwLu@grove4.demon.co.uk> <1410mu-1NBaMaC@fwd00.sul.t-online.com> <000601c07196$e43203d0$fc6ae540@rmccubbmain> <3A27C714.9D3AC4AE@sympatico.ca>

David Buckley schrieb:
> Brass band composing can be compared to writing a sonnet or a haiku with its
> rigid form. Some people will bloom within the restrictions, others will avoid
> them.
>
> Dave.
>
 I accept the concept that limitation is not neccesarily a bad thing but I have
some difficulty making a comparison between the restrictions of the two literary
forms that Dave mentions with those of writing for brass band.

 The restrictions at the technical level of both of these forms are
syllabic and rhythmical. Music is a parallel art to poetry in that both are
performing arts and exist in time. However the syllabic and rhythmic
restrictions that apply to sonnets and haiku do not apply in any real sense to
writing for band.

 Neither does the unity of the moment of conception which is implied in the
concept of the "Haiku moment" really relate to the compositional limitations and
challenges of band writing. Yes some pieces can be conceived in this sort of
mystical state but that is true of a  piece for any group of instruments and it
is by no means unique to writing for band.

Although graphic art is disimilar to music in that once created it exists "out
of time" I can see more realistic parallels with artists who choose to use a
limited palette of colours or perhaps specialise in drawing although even this
does not really parallel the challenge of always having a pressure to use the
same instrumentation for every piece.

I am really not complaining about this "limitation" I just want to people who
are writing for bands to be aware of it. I find it an
interesting challenge woth which I sometimes cope better than others.

I think I will probably say no more on the matter on the list as I suspect that
we are getting pretty close to being off topic here and I would rather call a
halt than be shown a yellow card. If any one wants to continue this discuusion
with me off list please feel free to do so.
All the best

Steve Watkins


--

Follow-Ups:
- Re: The composers view
  - From: David Buckley

References:
- Re: Trombone Quartets
  - From: JDSheard1
- Re: Trombone Quartets
  - From: David Taylor
- The composers view
  - From: Stephen Watkins
- Re: The composers view
  - From: Robin McCubbin
- Re: The composers view
  - From: David Buckley

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